This is the opinion of one person who has spent some time in Mindanao, and has been paying attention for a while. It is not meant to be presented as “truth” or as the only possible valid opinion. There is a great deal that could be said and most perspectives deserve some attention.

First a wee bit history, as brief as I can make it.

The policy of sponsored settlement of immigrants in Mindanao did not, as is sometimes claimed, start with Marcos: it dates back to the American colonial period. It did accelerate dramatically through the 50s and 60s, to a point that by 1970 many formerly Muslim-majority areas were dominated by settlers, raising tension at many levels. Muslim land generally held no government-recognized title, with no legal impediment to giving it away.

1. The inexperience of feeling truly understood.

Old souls can be seen as strange people because they often hold unconventional ideals and standards of living. They often feel a sense of separation from themselves and the “real world” because things like obtaining great wealth, owning a lot of expensive possessions, and other traits of living a materialistic lifestyle aren’t really an interest to them. In a world fueled by consumerism this can seem kind of weird to most people. Having a different set of expectations and ideas about living can make it hard to feel like anyone truly understands you and what drives you in life.

2. People don’t understand how easygoing and forgiving you can be at times.

Old souls tend to have a philosophical viewpoint about life and look at things on a larger spectrum. What does this mean? When problems arise and old souls are forced…

1. When you were really into this person, you were REALLY into them. Probably longer than you would admit to anyone ever. And no matter how hard you try, the feelings don’t go away.

2. You still get the tiniest bit nervous when you find yourself in the same room. It’s not the same intense butterflies that you used to get, but that fluttering feeling is still there. If only a little.

3. Thinking about them still makes you smile. The kind of smile that is a certain nostalgia for something that you wish had happened but didn’t. The kind of nostalgia you can have for a lifetime.

4. Whenever their name is brought up, your ears perk up and you’re still interested in what people are saying about them. You want to make sure their good name is still good.

What I didn’t tell you is that I’ve written about you before. I’ll never show it to you but I hope you one day stumble upon my words.

What I didn’t tell you is that I really didn’t want it to end. What I didn’t tell you is that I hoped you would try to stop me. What I didn’t tell you is that I always hoped we would make it. I imagined what it would be like to be yours and you to be mine. I day dreamed about walking down the street holding your hand and what it would be like to one day hear you say that you loved me. What I didn’t tell you is that I wished you would have come to my door and tell me you had made a mistake.

27 and single. I don’t scramble to find a plus one when I see a wedding invitation. I don’t worry what my family will say when I don’t bring someone to Christmas dinner. I try not to make a habit of becoming too close. To say I have become used to being just me is an understatement. Every once in a while, though, there comes a time when I meet someone and the unthinkable happens —I start to let down those walls I have so proudly built up. This is what you do to me.

Annoying. I become that girl. I don’t stop talking about you and finding different ways to bring you up in conversation. That time you told me I was weird, but you like weird. My friends heard allllll about it. I hung on your every word.

Belle

You love reading. You are a girl who reads. You likely post on your Tumblr about all the books you love, and all the tea you drink, and all the cats you identify with emotionally. No matter how full the town jock’s chest hair is — or how much he wants to get into your provincial French panties — you are not putting up with his misogynistic antics. You have read way too much feminist theory to deal with a guy who only likes you because you’re good-looking and don’t want him. You’ve got better things to do, such as read more books.

Ariel

You are 7000% done with this society and your bullshit, gender-norm-obsessed father. You are ready to break out of this town and are willing to do pretty much anything to do it — even if it means following…